News Release

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Human Remains Found in Pacific Palisades NR12444cj

UPDATE9-27-12RFOfficials from the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office have determined the cause of death related to the human remains discovered last Saturday near the Los Liones Canyon Trail was due to suicide. The decedent, identified as 23-year-old UCLA student David Goeser, died from a single gunshot wound to the head. A semiautomatic pistol was also found next to the body.

Los Angeles: On Saturday, September 22, 2012, at 1115 hours, West Los Angeles Area officers responded to a radio call of a “Death Investigation” near the Los Liones Canyon Trail in the 500 block of Los Liones Drive in Pacific Palisades.

Two hikers were hiking near the trail when they observed what appeared to be a human skull. The hikers reported their findings to a nearby L.A. City fire station who in turn notified police.

Upon arrival, officers were directed to an area near a hiking trail not far from the entrance to the Los Liones Canyon Trail where they observed the remains of what appeared to be a human skull. Officers checked the area and observed the skeletal remains of a human torso approximately twenty feet from the skull.

Detectives from the West Bureau Homicide Unit and investigators from the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene. The exact cause and mode of death cannot be determined until an autopsy is performed. The remains have not been identified.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to call West Bureau Homicide Detectives Robledo or Freund at 213-382-9470. During weekends and off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAPD24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.